Apps Will Not Launch On Mac Computer

Oct 24, 2017 Select the Apple menu and System Preferences. Select Users & Groups and then the Login Items tab in the top center. The list of enabled apps will appear in the center pane. Apps that appear in that center pane will automatically open when you start or reboot your Mac.

It is very common to download and install apps from internet on Windows PC or laptop. However, it’s not a good idea on Mac to install third-party apps to protect your computer. Though the best way is to install apps from Mac App Store it has few problems. First, many people confuse iOS App Store with Mac App Store – they are two different stores. Second, there are only few apps available in Mac App Store that will not cater your requirements. This makes you to look for apps from third-party websites. However, you need to make some settings in order for the third-party apps to work on your Mac.

How Mac Checks Third-party Apps?

Generally, you can download .dmg or .pkg or plugin files and install on your Mac. Apple checks the following when you install app from the third-party websites:

Check it is a trusted software using Gatekeeper technology.
Verify the identity of the developer using Developer ID in the installer package.
macOS Catalina also needs the developer to notarize the apps for trustworthy.

Most of the third-party apps will fail at the identification or notarization part leading to prevention of usage on Mac. In most case, you may be using it for long time, and it is not quite easy to inform the developer to update the app.

Third-party Apps Errors in Mac

Mac settings allow you to choose only install apps from App Store or allow apps from identified developers. You will get different error depending upon this setting. When you allow third-party apps in settings, Mac will not stop installing or updating the apps without developer ID and notarization. It will only stop when you open the installed app. This will make an app unusable with an update in the latest macOS. You will get the error like below mentioning, “App can’t be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software”.

You will see an error, “App can’t be opened because it was not downloaded from App Store” when you have setting that does not allow apps outside App Store.

In all cases, the error message will show how did you download the app with no option to open.

How to Open the Blocked Apps?

Now that you have multiple options to open the app.

1. Allow Apps from Outside App Store

If you have blocked the third-party apps then ensure you allow in in the settings.

Click on the “Apple” menu and choose “System Preferences…” option.
Look for “Security & Privacy” option and click on it.

If the screen is locked for edit, click on the padlock icon and unlock the screen by using your admin login. You will see two options under “Allow apps downloaded from:” – “App Store” and “App Store and identified developers”.
In order to allow the third-party apps, select the option “App Store and identified developers”.

Henceforth, Mac will show an open button when you try to access an app downloaded from internet.

2. Use Open Anyway After Blocking

In macOS Catalina and Mojave, you will see the last attempt of blocking the app with an option to “Open Anyway” button. Click on the “Open Anyway” button to access the app.

Now you can open the app and confirm the access by clicking on “Open” button.

3. Open the App with Right-Click

You can also access the app without going to settings. When you get the error message, click on the “Show in Finder” button. Alternatively, open “Finder” and go to “Applications” folder to locate the app. Control click or right click on the application file and choose “Open” option.

You will get the same error message for malicious software checking like below. However, this time you will see an additional “Open” button.

Click on the “Open” button to access the app.

Caution

When Mac is certain about the malicious software, it will show “App will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash”. In this case, ensure to move the app to trash and clean up the Trash instead of trying to open. Only open the apps that you are sure and using it previously. It is also good idea to report the issue to the developer to update the app for the latest macOS Catalina version.

Force quit the app, then open it again

iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Force the app to close.
Apple Watch: With the app open, press and hold the side button to show the power options. Then press and hold the Digital Crown to quit the app.
Apple TV: Double press the TV/Home button and swipe left or right to find the app with the issue. Then swipe up to close the app. You can’t force apps to quit on Apple TV (3rd generation).

Restart your device

Restart your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, or Apple TV. Then open the app to see if it works as expected.

Check for updates

Make sure that your device has the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, watchOS, or tvOS. Then check for app updates.

iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch: You can manually update apps. You might need a Wi-Fi connection to update some apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Apple TV: Go to Settings > Apps and turn on Automatically Update Apps. If you don't have automatic updates turned on, you can open the App Store, go to the Purchased tab, and open an app's product page to see if an update is available.

Reinstall the app

iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Open the Settings app. Tap General, then tap iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). Tap the affected app, then tap Offload app. Tap Offload app again. Wait a moment for the app to offload, then tap Reinstall App.
Apple TV: Highlight the app on the Home screen, then press and hold the Touch surface until the app jiggles. Press Play/Pause, then select Delete. Open the App Store and redownload the app. Some apps require subscriptions for activation. If you can't activate the app or you don’t remember your sign-in information, contact the app developer.
Apple Watch: Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap the My Watch tab. Scroll to the app you want to remove, then tap it. Turn off Show App on Apple Watch, and wait for it to disappear from your watch's Home screen. To reinstall the app, scroll down to Available Apps in the My Watch tab and tap Install.

Contact the app developer

If you're having an issue with an Apple app, contact Apple Support. If it's a third-party app, contact the app developer.

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